The National Portrait Gallery, London, is partnering with Christie's for a unique fundraising auction. The funds raised will support the gallery's capital project: Inspiring People, and will not only go towards the physical reinvention of the Gallery, but, crucially, to the gallery's programming, in order to support art and artists.

Robert Mapplethorpe's iconic portrait of Patti Smith from 1987, generously donated by the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation, will be included in the auction.